Following the news that frontman Sam Forrest had contracted mumps, a debate has been raging this week as to who should replace crowdpullers Nine Black Alps on the NME's New Music Tour.

Okay, so it's not so compelling a question as who should replace Kylie at Glastonbury.

But, if the NME's scene-setting power is to be believed, it's a matter of no little concern for the bands in the running.

Regularly touted as a chance to see the stars of tomorrow at today's prices, such smallscale tours have previously given leg-ups to the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party and Futureheads.

And while not all will go from stacking shelves to packing stadiums, for many it's the first push beyond the pub circuit.

"New Music" tends to mean a distinct lack of records, so the bands on this Rizla-enabled tour are largely chosen for their live reputation. And this certainly goes for The Rakes, now promoted to the headline slot, who favour hand-claps on their records but put in an incendiary performance live.

Inspired by Joy Division, the London five-piece are quickly moving from fledgling punks to fully-formed art-rockers as frontman Alan Donohue adds enticing narratives to the musical clang and clatter.

The rest of the line-up has gone through numerous changes but we finally have it pinned down to New Zealand's The Checks, Sixties rock and retro R'n'B, and even newer additions White Rose Movement, who do a fine line in spiky, groove-based pop.